When you suffer from a cockroach invasion in your home — or if you’re worred you might have a few in the attic — it’s important to combat the problem right away. But how do you know if you have a cockroach problem in the first place?

Some signs are more obvious than others. But when you’re dealing with creatures that can wiggle their way into small places and don’t often come out during the day, you could be tackling quite a challenge. Here are 4 common signs of a cockroach invasion:

1. Droppings

When cockroaches are present, they will often leave behind droppings. Just when you thought you spilled some coffee grounds on the floor, think again. Cockroach fecal droppings often resemble your morning beverage or look similar to pieces of black pepper. If you spot droppings, the roaches are likely nearly.

2. Smells

Are you sure that musty smell is coming from the attic or basement? While that may be the case, the source could be some small critter lurking just around the corner. Cockroaches often produce an unpleasant oily or musky smell that becomes worse when the creatures multiply. Be sure to act quickly if you begin to smell something unusual — the smell could infuse your food.

3. Egg casings

Cockroaches’ way of reproducing involves laying egg casings called oothecae. The small, brownish, oval-shaped casings can hold up to dozens of eggs. Some roaches carry their eggs until they hatch, but others will hide them somewhere. If you do spot one, get ready to tackle a cockroach problem.

4. Roaches themselves

When you see a cockroach crawling across your kitchen floor, chances are the problem has escalated to a critical level. Roaches tend to only be active at night, and spotting one during the day could mean the nests are full and some are being pushed out.

If you’re suspicious of a cockroach problem, it’s best to contact the professionals. DIY methods are often not as effective and won’t eliminate the source of the problem. Plunkett’s Pest Control has the tools and experience to safely remove cockroaches from your place of residence.